Alex Skolnickis a guitar legend, best known for his work with Testament in the early 90’s through today, plus his time with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and numerous other projects. I was fortunate to befriend Alex in the early 2000’s when I was teaching at the New School and he was there studying Jazz guitar. He played in Stratospheerius for 3 years and recorded on two of our albums; “The Adventures of Stratospheerius“ and “Live Wires“. It will be a thrill to share the stage with him again and open for his incredible band!
Sonic Voyage Fest’s purpose is to create a night of music that dazzles with virtuosity, ignites the senses, and pushes boundaries. Writes ProgSheet’s editor John A. Wilcox, “Sonic Voyage Fest was like General Tso’s chicken: spicy, filling, and I already want more!”
In the past year, I had the pleasure of guesting on numerous cool and exciting recording projects, many of which have seen their release in the past few months. Here are some highlights:
Here’s aI worked on last year! I did most of the string arranging and playing, plus my dear friend the late great David Gotay plays a beautiful cello solo on “Dio Solitaire de la Notte.” The singer is Bella D and the music is intense, honest hard rock that tells an incredible story of what she overcame in recent years. Produced by drummer Charlie Zeleny. Check it out!
TILES is a renowned, Detroit-based progressive rock group, now in it’s second decade, which has toured with the lies of Dream Theater, and has done some shows with Stratospheerius. I am honored to be included on their new album, alongside such luminaries as Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull, as well as Mike Portnoy! Look for some upcoming shows with both of our bands.
Jimmy Pitts is a composer/keyboard virtuoso out of Detroit. This is my second time as a guest on one of his albums, alongside legendary drummer Marco Minneman (Eddie Jobson, Joe Satriani, Buddy Rich, Paul Gilbert, Terry Bozzio). I play on the song “A Faint Beautiful Glow,” which closes out the album.
Circuline is a new prog band that I have had the pleasure to record and perform with. This is their debut album, released last year.. Check out the song “Silence Revealed,’ masterfully written by my friend Randy McStine.
Check out the video for the song here:
Check out 3 of the latest songs from Stratospheerius! Our last single, “Take Your Medicine,” is getting rave responses and trending on Reverbnation.com
When I was 17, I was a misfit at my high school A violin nerd who had a deep love for Led Zeppelin,. Rush, Kiss, ACDC, Zappa, and wanted to rock out! If only a camp like this existed when I was 17, I would have been all over it! I see my younger self in every kid who attends. There really is a familial atmosphere and I have made lasting friendships with campers, teachers, and fellow colleagues who are a part of this incredible experience! It is not just for string geeks; guitarists, bassists, singers, drummers, keyboard players, teachers and students of all ages are welcome! I can’t speak enough about what a game changer this week has been for so many musicians and can be for you! I am honored and excited to be coming back for my 6th year as a faculty member at the Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp/Music Festival! Register today at:
In the past year, I had the pleasure of guesting on numerous cool and exciting recording projects, many of which have seen their release in the past few months. Here are some highlights:
Here’s aI worked on last year! I did most of the string arranging and playing, plus my dear friend the late great David Gotay plays a beautiful cello solo on “Dio Solitaire de la Notte.” The singer is Bella D and the music is intense, honest hard rock that tells an incredible story of what she overcame in recent years. Produced by drummer Charlie Zeleny. Check it out!
TILES is a renowned, Detroit-based progressive rock group, now in it’s second decade, which has toured with the lies of Dream Theater, and has done some shows with Stratospheerius. I am honored to be included on their new album, alongside such luminaries as Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull, as well as Mike Portnoy! Look for some upcoming shows with both of our bands.
Jimmy Pitts is a composer/keyboard virtuoso out of Detroit. This is my second time as a guest on one of his albums, alongside legendary drummer Marco Minneman (Eddie Jobson, Joe Satriani, Buddy Rich, Paul Gilbert, Terry Bozzio). I play on the song “A Faint Beautiful Glow,” which closes out the album.
Circuline is a new prog band that I have had the pleasure to record and perform with. This is their debut album, released last year.. Check out the song “Silence Revealed,’ masterfully written by my friend Randy McStine.
Check out the video for the song here:
Check out 3 of the latest songs from Stratospheerius! Our last single, “Take Your Medicine,” is getting rave responses and trending on Reverbnation.com
The Composers Now Festival brings together performances presented by venues, ensembles, orchestra, opera, musical theater and dance companies as well as many other innovative events through New York City. Composers are in attendance at all events which are open to the public. From jazz to indie, from classical to electronic and beyond, join us on a sonic journey through the landscape of the arts of our time.
This concert features the music of Mazz Swift (8 P.M.), Gene Pritsker/Sound Liberation (9 P.M.), and Joe Deninzon/Stratospheerius (10 P.M.)
Stratospheerius performs at WXTCs Festival to Benefit VH1s Save the Music and Thiel College Student Media!
Thiel College, Greenville, PA
Howard Miller Student Center LHR
FREE for Thiel College students
Suggested donation for public — $10
Food and drinks available from The Bistro
Doors open at 3:30pm
Show starts at 4pm
Other performers: Nevada Color, Ian Lloyd, John Ford of the Strawbs and more!
6+ hours of:
Rock, Classic Rock, Indie.Alt, Folk, Jazz, Hiphop/Rap and Gospel!
October has Stratospheerius back on the road tour dates in Nyack, NYC, State College, Erie PA, and Detroit.
In November, I will be playing in the San Diego and Orange County, CA areas with renowned harmonica virtuoso, Robert Bonfiglio.
November also has Stratospheerius playing out in Long Island, and I will be premiering a new Electric Violin composition for Gene Pritsger’s Composer’s Concordance at Spectrum on November 29th.
In December, Joe Deninzon will be touring, opening for the legendary Martin Barre, guitarist with Jethro Tull. I will be performing as a duo with one of my favorite musicians, Randy McStine, a guitar prodigy and brilliant singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist.
Check out 3 of the latest songs from Stratospheerius! Our last single, “Take Your Medicine,” is getting rave responses and trending on Reverbnation.com
Hope you folks are ready for the great outdoors, BBQ’s, beach bumming, and most importantly….LIVE MUSIC, which must be supported and celebrated.
Just got off The first ever Sonic Voyages Mini-Tour. Stratospheerius joined forces with two incredible bands, Circuline and Shadow Eden to create a traveling progressive rock festival. Check out this review of our first show on 5/22 at Sully’s in Hartford, CT:
Have you ever been ripped off, scammed, deceived, stepped out, put out, put down, ignored, held back, short changed, short shifted, diluted, looted? This song is a fantasy of vindication, revenge, bringing your nemesis to their knees! The lyrics are angry and empowering. No apologies. No compromise. Dig in!
This is a very special place we’ve been fortunate to come back to for 7 years now as regular performers. Come, campout, and celebrate!
Stratospheerius is usually:
Joe Deninzon-lead vocals/electric violin/mandolin
Aurelien Budynek-guitar
Lucianna Padmore-drums
Jamie Bishop-bass
Joining us on this tour will be
Paul Ranieri-bass
Michelangelo Quirenale-guitar
Joe Deninzon Composition Premieres
I am honored that world-renowned violinist Rachel Barton Pine will be performing the world premier of my solo violin piece, “The Electric Lake of Soul” At the Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan on Monday, June 20th.
Rachel is my good friend, and I can honestly say, is not of this earth. She’s doing a full one-hr all request Paganini Caprice concert for the Interlochen students, and including my piece as an encore! The kids can request any Caprice they want to hear. Trust me, this ain’t Freebird.
Now the chops necessary to play Paganinni Caprices are about as intense as violin-playing gets, let alone to be able to play any of the 24 at the drop of a hat requires an insane amount of practicing and dedication to one’s craft. I am beyond excited to hear this piece played live, and humbled to be alongside the immortal Paganinni in the program.
On another note…
JOE DENINZON CONCERTO FOR 7-STRING ELECTRIC VIOLIN AND ORCHESTRA WORLD PREMIER SEPTEMBER 19TH!
It’s official. I will be premiering my electric violin concerto with the Muncie Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, September 19th!
One year ago, Douglas Droste, the Musical Director of the Muncie Symphony, commissioned me to write and premier an Electric Violin Concertoe with his orchestra.
It’s a 4-movement piece running approx 25 minutes. The concept is a intense dream sequence, and the music is loosely based around the cycles of sleep. The first movement is called “Falling Dream,” the second is “Delta Waves,” the third is “Rapid Eye Movement,” and the fourth is “Waking Dream.”
I hope those of you within driving range of Muncie, Indiana will be able to come to the concert, and I hope those not in that area will get to hear the piece in the future.
It’s time to prog out with your frog out! you can hear me as a guest on two new excellent prog rock releases:
I had the pleasure of appearing as a guest electric violin soloist on the song “Silence Revealed,” on the debut album by the awesome new prog band, Circuline.
This past Memorial Day Weekend, we played our first Sonic Voyages Festival mini-tour with Stratospheerius , Circuline (link), and Shadow Eden (link). The tour was a huge success and we had a blast sharing the stage with these incredible musicians.
I am also featured on the new release by the Detroit-based band, Fractured Dimension, titled Galaxy Mechanics. Appropriately enough, they got me, a Russian violinist, for a song called “Bolshevikian Mythological Creature.”
This is the ONLY CAMP IN THE WORLD centered around electric strings, but is also open to vocalists, guitarists, drummers, keyboardists, and bassists. I am honored and humbled to be among world-renowned faculty including Daniel Bernard Romaine, Doctor David Wallace, Mazz Swift, and the trailblazing Mark Wood!
This year, the camp will also feature the rock cellists, Emil and Dariel from America’s Got Talent!
